Pipe line scraper with magnetic pickup means



Dec. 20, 1966 J. R. STEPHENS 3,292,197

PIPE LINE SCRAPER WITH MAGNETIC PICKUP MEANS Filed Aug. 21, 1964 INVENTOR. J. R. STEPHENS A r TORNEKS United States Patent 3,292,197 PIPE LINE SCRAPER WITH MAGNETIC PICKUP MEANS James R. Stephens, Bartlesville, Okla, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 391,181 12 Claims. (Cl. 15104.06)

This invention relates to pipe line scrapers. More particularly, this invention relates to pipe line cleaning devices for use in the petroleum industry to remove paraflin deposits, metal scale, and other foreign materials from the interior surface of a pipe line. In its more specific aspect, this invention is adapted to attract and hold any loose iron materials which may be present in a pipe line either as a result of becoming dislodged from the interior surface of the pipe or as a result of the wire bristles breaking off from the brushes in a pipe line scraper.

The art is replete with sundry types of pipe line cleaning devices. These devices generally consist of a plurality of flexible disks with wire brushes disposed between the disks such that when the assembly is forced through a pipe line, the disks and brushes function to remove any deposits which may have accumulated on the interior surface of the pipe. During its travel through the line, the cleaning device will dislodge any metallic scale which may be present. Since the wire brushes of the cleaning device render a considerable amount of abrasive action to the interior surface of the pipe, the metallic bristles of the several wire brushes frequently become dislodged or broken off. The presence of the metallic particles and the wire bristles within the line is highly undesirable since they Will cause difficulties with the equipment associated with pipe lines. For example, the metallic particles and wire bristles will damage pipe line valves and pumps. They are particularly damaging to pipe line meters. In pipe lines equipped with detecting electrodes which function to indicate a fluid interface, the wire bristles have shorted out the electrodes thereby rendering them ineffective. I

Numerous attempts have been made in the petroleum industry to remove the metallic particles and wire bristles from within the pipe line. One popular method is to install strainers in the line which are intended to retain the metallic materials. This approach to the problem has not proved successful since it was found that the strainers retained all types of extraneous materials and, as a result, became clogged and damaged.

This invention contemplates a pipe line scraper which obviates the difliculties experienced in the past and is adapted to perform its function in a highly satisfactory manner. The instant invention relates to a pipe line scraper comprising a shaft having alternately positioned flexible cups and wire brushes and a magnet secured to the shaft, preferably on the trailing end of the scraper. When the scraper of this invention is propelled through the pipe line, the magnet will effectively serve to attract and hold any loose metallic material which may be present in the line.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to remove metallic materials from within a pipe line.

Another object of this invention is to dislodge accumulated deposits and metallic scale from the interior surface of a pipe line.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pipe line scraper which will attract and hold metallic scale dislodged from the interior surface of the pipe and metallic bn'stles which have broken off the brushes of the scraper.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pipe line scraper which is simple and compact in de- Patented Dec. 20, 1966 sign, rugged in construction, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed specification, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view, partially in brokensection, showing the pipe line scraper positioned with a p p FIGURE 2 is an end view of the trailing end of the pipe line scraper when it has been positioned within a p p FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the embodiment illustrated by FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated by FIGURE 3.

The above objects and others are accomplished in accordance with this invention by providing a pipe line scraper with a magnet which will function to attract and hold metallic scale dislodged from the interior of the pipe and wire bristles which have broken off the brushes in the scraper. Any suitable magnet may be employed; but because of the ease in attachment, it is generally preferred to use a horseshoe-type magnet.

Although it is preferred to attach the magnet to the shaft on the trailing end of the scraper, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide a scraper having a magnet secured to the shaft on the leading end of the scraper. Moreover, it may be desirable in some instances to provide a scraper with magnets secured to both ends. This concept is also within the scope of this invention. Either of these modifications could have application when two or more scrapers are propelled in series. In this situation, it would be desirable to attract and hold the metallic scale and bristles, which may be present from previous scraping operations, ahead of the scraper thus preventing them from damaging the flexible cups in the scraper.

FIGURE 1 of the drawing illustrates a section of pipe 1 with a pipe line scraper constructed according to this invention moving in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The scraper comprises a shaft 2 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced flexible cups 3, 4, and 5 secured thereto by any suitable means. The diameter of the flexible cups is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the pipe 1. This will insure movement of the scraper when fluid pressure is applied to its trailing end.

A first scraper means positioned between flexible cups 3 and 4 compirse a plurality of leaf springs 6 secured at one end to the shaft 2 such that the free end of each spring terminates at a point removed from the shaft. The springs 6 are spaced about between their centers around the shaft. The free ends of each of the springs 6 are provided with brushes 7 constructed from a plurality of wire bristles or the like. Each of the brushes is provided with a working surface or contact width of about 45 with respect to a working perimeter of 360 around the shaft.

A second scraper means positioned between flexible cups 4 and 5 comprises a plurality of leaf springs 8 secured at one end to the shaft 2 such that the free end of each spring terminates at a point removed from the shaft. The free ends of each of the springs 8 are provided with brushes 9 constructed from a plurality of wire bristles. Each of the brushes is provided with a working surface or contact width of about 45 with respect to a working perimeter of 360 around the shaft.

The second scraper means is secured to the shaft such that the brushes are in alignment with the spaces between the brushes of the first scraper means. This arrangement of the two scraperv means will insure a complete and thorough scraping action over the entire surface of the pipe.

The means for attracting and holding the metallic scale disloged through the action of the brushes and any bristles which may have broken off the brushes includes a magnet 10 secured to the shaft 2 by means of a U-bolt 11.

FIGURE 2 of the drawing illustrates the trailing end of the scraper with the magnet secured to the shaft 2 and depending downward therefrom such that the poles of the magnet terminate close to the bottom portion of the pipe. The shaft 2 is provided with oppositely disposed vertical grooves 12 which will serve to accommodate the legs of the U-bolt 11.

FIGURES 3, 4, and of the drawing illustrate a modified means for attaching the magnet to the shaft. In this embodiment a bracket 13, having an inside slightly larger than the diameter of shaft 2, is positioned over shaft 2. A magnet holder including a hinge having legs 14 and 15 is secured to the bracket .13 as by welding or other means. The magnet holder is also provided with a channel member 16 which will serve to house the magnet 17 by means of bolts 18.

By securing a magnet in this manner it is apparent that when the scraper is being propelled through the pipe line the magnet will always be positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the pipe since it is rotatably secured to the shaft of the scraper. Another advantage obtained by mounting the magnet in this manner is that if the interior of the pipe is rough or if the pipe collars are internally upset the hinge structure will allow the magnet holder to rotate over these obstructions and thereby prevent damage to the magnet.

In both embodiments it is desirable to secure the magnet to the shaft such that it occupies a position within about 1% inches to about Mr inch from the interior surface of the pipe. The preferred range for positioning the magnet is from about 1 inches to about inch.

Actual tests have been conducted which demonstrate the operability of this invention. During these tests the scraper of this invention :attracted and picked up approximately one pound or more of metal, primarily brush bristles.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for this purpose and that variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A pipe line scraper comprising:

(a) a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end;

(b) a plurality of cups centrally mounted transversely to said shaft and longitudinally spaced thereon;

(c) scraper means carried by said shaft between said cups; and

(d) magnet means carried by the trailing end of said shaft between the end of the trailing end of said shaft and said cups for attracting and holding iron particles, said magnet means being positioned and shaped such that the iron particles cannot accumuiate between said magnet means and a pipe through which the pipe line scraper is being moved.

2. A pipe line scraper according to claim 1 wherein said means for attracting and holding the iron particles includes:

(a) a magnet; and

(b) a U-bolt for securing said magnet to said shaft.

3. A pipe line scraper according to claim 2 wherein the poles of the magnet occupy a position within about 1% inches to about inch from the interior surface of a pipe when the scraper is in use.

4. A pipe line scraper comprising:

(a) a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end;

(b) a plurality of cups centrally mounted transversely to said shaft and longitudinally spaced thereon;

43 (c) first scraper means carried by said shaft between a pair of said cups;

(d) second scraper means carried :by said shaft be- I tween another pair of said cups; and

(e) magnet means carried .by the trailing end of said shaft between the end of the trailing end of said shaft and said cups for attracting and holding iron particles, said magnet means being positioned and shaped such that the iron particles cannot accurnmulate between said magnet means and a pipe through which the pipe line scraper is being moved. 5. A pipe line scraper according to claim 4 wherein said first scraper means and said second scraper means includes a plurality of leaf springs each having a brush mounted at the end for scraping scale and the like from the interior of a pipe line.

6. A pipe line scraper comprising: (a) a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end; (b) a plurality of cups centrally mounted transversely to said shaft and longitudinally spaced thereon;

(c) first scraper means carried by said shaft between a pair of said cups including a plurality of leaf springs extending from said shaft and spaced about between their centers around said shaft, and a brush secured to each of said springs, each of said brushes having a contact Width of about 45 around said shaft;

first scraper means; and

(e) magnet means carried by the trailing end of said shaft between the end of the trailing end of said shaft. and said cups for attracting and holding iron particles, said magnet means being positioned and shaped such that the iron particles cannot accumulate between said magnet means and a pipe through which the pipe line scraper is being moved.

7. A pipe line scraper according -to claim 6 wherein: said means for attracting and holding the iron particles 1 includes:

(a) a magnet; and (b) a U-bolt for securing said magnet to said shaft.

8. A pipe line scraper according to claim 7 wherein. the poles of the magnet occupy a position within about 1% inches to about A inch from the interior surface. of, f

a pipe when the scraper is in use.

9. A pipe line scraper comprising: (a) a shaft; (b) a plurality of cups centrally mounted transversely to said shaft and longitudinally spaced thereon;

(c) scraper means carried by said shaft between said 1 cups; and

((1) means carried by said shaft for attracting and 1 holding iron particles including a bracket rotatably mounted on said shaft, a magnet holder hiugedly. secured to said bracket and depending therefrom,

and a magnet carried by said magnet holder.

10. A pipe line scraper according to claim 9 wherein the poles of the magnet occupy a position within about 1% inches to about inch from the interior surface 1 of a pipe when the scraper is in use.

11. A pipe line scraper comprising:

(a) a shaft; 4

(b) a plurality of cups centrally mounted transversely to said shaft and longitudinally spaced thereon;

(c) first scraper means carried by said shaft between a pair of said cups including a plurality of leaf springs extending from said shaft and spaced about 90 between their centers around said shaft, and a brush secured to each of said springs, each of said brushes having a contact width of about 45 around said shaft;

(d) second scraper means carried by said shaft between another pair of said cups including a plurality of leaf springs extending from said shaft and spaced about 90 between their centers around said shaft each having a brush with a contact width of about 45 secured thereto, each of said leaf springs and associated brushes being positioned such that the brushes of said second scraper means are in align ment with the spaces between the brushes of said first scraper means; and

(e) means carried by said shaft for attracting and holding iron particles including a bracket rotatably mounted on said shaft, a magnet holder hingedly the poles of the magnet occupy a position within about 5 1% inches to about inch from the interior surface of a pipe when the scraper is in use.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bilton et a1 15-104.16 Parker 209215 Pearson 15104.06 Ver Nooy 15104.06

Nelson et al.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PIPE LINE SCRAPER COMPRISING: (A) A SHAFT HAVING A LEADING END AND A TRAILING END; (B) A PLURALITY OF CUPS CENTRALLY MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY TO SAID SHAFT AND LONGITUDINALLY SPACED THEREON; (C) SCRAPER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT BETWEEN SAID CUPS; AND (D) MAGNET MEANS CARRIED BY THE TRAILING END OF SAID SHAFT BETWEEN THE END OF THE TRAILING END OF SAID SHAFT AND SAID CUPS FOR ATTRACTING AND HOLDING IRON PARTICLES, SAID MAGNET MEANS BEING POSITIONED AND SHAPED SUCH THAT THE IRON PARTICLES CANNOT ACCUMULATE BETWEEN SAID MAGNET MEANS AND A PIPE THROUGH WHICH THE PIPE LINE SCRAPER IS BEING MOVED. 